Making the Most of Summer

We used to talk about the ‘dog days of summer’ as a time when everything slowed down. It was expected, even accepted, that work would ease off for a while as people stepped away to recharge. Summer provided a natural pause before the push into fall, when school resumed and business life accelerated once again.

That rhythm feels much harder to find today.

Instead of a predictable lull, many people now remark on the absence of any true slow season. Work continues at a steady pace year-round, and the idea of a collective breather has largely disappeared. For those of us working in local government, this shift has been particularly noticeable.

The Annual Cycle

In municipal administration, summer once brought a subtle but meaningful change in pace. Councils often reduced the frequency of meetings, creating fewer agenda packages and less time spent in council or committee meetings. While the workload never truly vanished, it shifted in nature.

Administrators used that space intentionally. Summer became a time to get ahead: to begin shaping the budget, to start conversations about council priorities for the coming year, and to focus on internal processes and organizational improvements that are harder to address during busier periods.

In many ways, the total workload remained constant. The difference was how that time was allocated. Instead of reacting to immediate demands, there was an opportunity to think more strategically.

At the same time, summer introduces its own operational challenges. Offices are often short-staffed as employees take well-earned vacation time. The work doesn’t stop, but fewer people are available to carry it. That combination can make the season feel anything but slow.

The Four-Year Cycle

Layered on top of the annual rhythm is the four-year municipal election cycle. Across most of Canada, local governments head to the polls in the fall, and that timing has a direct impact on how summer unfolds.

Three out of every four summers, things proceed relatively normally. But in an election year, the dynamic changes significantly.

For council members seeking re-election and new candidates entering the race, summer becomes campaign season. Community events, conversations with residents, and efforts to build visibility all intensify in the months leading up to the vote.

For municipal staff, the focus shifts as well. Preparing for a fair and smooth election is a substantial undertaking. Processes must be reviewed, logistics arranged, and timelines managed carefully. Even as regular operations continue, there is an additional layer of responsibility that demands attention.

The result is that, in election years, summer often becomes one of the busiest times in the cycle, not the quietest!

The Importance of Rest

So where does that leave us?

Much of this discussion has focused on the work itself; the cycles, the expectations, and the realities of municipal administration. But there is another dimension that is just as important: the health and sustainability of the people doing the work.

Even if the pace doesn’t naturally slow down, the need for rest hasn’t disappeared.

Taking time away from work, whether for a longer vacation or shorter, intentional breaks, is essential. It allows us to reset, to gain perspective, and to return with the energy needed to handle the demands of the fall season. Without that renewal, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain both effectiveness and well-being over the long term.

Rest doesn’t always mean stepping entirely away. For some, it might mean a change of routine, spending more time outdoors, or prioritizing activities that bring a sense of balance. The key is to create space for something other than the day-to-day pressures of the role.

Whether that time is spent alone or with family and friends, it has real value. It is not a luxury; it is part of sustaining a career in a demanding field.

Your Ideas

As new administrators enter the profession, they bring fresh perspectives and energy. At the same time, those with more experience continue to refine how they manage the ongoing demands of the role.

One of the lessons that develops over time is how to use the summer months effectively; not just to stay on top of work, but to reset personally and professionally.

What strategies have you found helpful?

How do you carve out time to recharge, even when the pace doesn’t naturally slow down? What advice would you offer to someone new to municipal administration who is heading into their first busy summer?

I would welcome your thoughts and experiences. These conversations are where we learn from one another and strengthen the profession as a whole.

You can reach me at ian@strategicsteps.ca. I look forward to the conversation.